The Framers Forum

Hi all, I'm looking for advice regarding selling artwork in my shop, I have local artists interested in displaying and selling, this is new to me as I had a back street workshop before but now front line shop.
What sort of arrangment do you do for artists, regarding percentage/commission etc? do you insist on selling only framed or unframed as well? Also regarding better known artists or art found on line, should one buy on line and sell on framed? better to contact the artists? is a mark up ion their artwork the done thing or we just make on the framing?
Any answers to these questions or any I havent asked welcome!?! Any experience? as much info as possible will be gratefully recieved thanks very much and Happy New Year, Dave J.

What is going to happen is that you will be deluged by an avalanche of 'the usual suspects'.
These are artists who you could describe as very pushy and will leap at any and all opportunities to show off their work.
90% is the art will be awful and rather than augmenting your shop image, it could actually detract from any passing interest.

My suggestion is that you become extremely picky and difficult to please.
Set your standards really high and only accept work which pleases you.

That way your shop will become an aspirational destination for both artists and customers.
'Doesn't matter if you framed the artwork or not.
Having really good artwork on display suggests to customers that you understand the importance of good presentational picture framing.

Take at least 33% of the retail as profit, and sale or return after 4 weeks, unless you chance on an artist whose work sells repeatedly.
Look out too for an artist who can paint good miniature works,
These can be much easier to sell and also lend themselves to some very creative framing.

I've done a bit of this over the years and also sold my work through other galleries.

A few pointers.....

Document/photo any work left with you or you leave. Memory can play tricks.

Nail the pricing down from the offset and set the commission you take. A good middling figure is 40%
but this will vary according to your business. Big galleries in expensive locations can charge 90+%.
* A good agent will earn their commission by actively promoting the artist, not hanging it on a wall
and waiting for a bite. If the artist baulks at the commission then that's a red flag. They don't understand
how business works. They will either learn or not. If they don't they will not succeed. I've seen a few artists
who are mad keen at the beginning and then lose interest if they don't get instant results. Bad sign....
A good flow of fresh work is good.

One important thing is to firmly establish the pricing structure. It is absolutely vital that you impress upon
the artist that if they sell their work privately they must stick to the 'retail' prices. Some artists have no idea
of good business practice. If you have a painting on sale-or-return priced at £100 that is 60 for the artist and
40 for you and they subsequently sell themselves for 60 then they are undercutting you. This is very unprofessional
and can ruffle feathers. If they start doing this then discontinue handling their stuff. It's important to establish
a good working relationship.

If you are VAT registered and the artist is not you are only liable for VAT on your cut. Pay the artist in full.
You aren't liable for VAT on the whole sale.

It's up to you, but I would never sell artwork that had been framed elsewhere. You have to stand behind the stuff you
sell and you can't always be sure it's been framed to a decent standard. Artists tend to be very frugal when it comes
to framing and you don't want to be selling artwork that has been framed by someone completely clueless or in frames
that the artist has bought off the internet.

If the work is promising I have sometimes framed their stuff without charge and only charged when the work sells.
Only maybe a few to begin with but if sales take off then the artist pays for framing 'up front'.

As an artist, I find it odd when framers have artist work for sale. Probably not in a good way, as I'm in there looking for framing, mounts, glass etc. and not the end product. I don't find it interesting, nor an enhancement of their business.

Let's face it, the artist is looking for a way to sell their work for nothing. They get free wall space, where you pay the rent.
Your shop then doesn't become your own space, plus artists are difficult & demanding to deal with where sales are concerned. You will find it a distraction as clients will ask for the artist details, then go direct to undercut you, wasting your time. And artists desperate for the sale will allow it.
It isn't showcasing your work either.

If you feel like you want to do it, 45% commission on sales. Framing done in your shop = quality control. Every artwork has to be framed. And I'd just dedicate one wall as a gallery area, not your entire shop.

And reasonable (non-inflated to cover your commission) prices. Paintings for £1,200 in your business might suggest that your frames are overpriced.

But I wouldn't do it, no.

I can't see how to comment individually but thanks to all who replied, all very helpful indeed, Thank you, Dave J.